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DELAWARE VALLEY
HOSTA SOCIETY
Our next meeting is on October 19th 2024.
More activities posted on our calendar!
Celebrating hostas since 1982!
The DVHS hosts a hosta show approximately every two years, depending on what other activities we have going on. Our greatest show to date was in 2006, when we hosted the national convention of the American Hosta Society. Over 500 leaves, planters, and artistic display entries were received and judged.
Our 2016 hosta show, held June 11-12 at the Barnes Foundation Arboretum, featured the leaves and pots of a dozen hosta gardeners. Best in Show (Horticulture Division) was awarded to David Teager for a petite but perfect leaf of H. gracillima, Marilyn Romenesko had the best container plant ('Tears of Joy'), and Conny Parsons took this year's sweepstakes award for the most blue ribbons. After the show judging, several particants took part in a floral design class led by Tammy Feuer, featuring use of hosta leaves.
In 2018, when we once again hosted the AHS national convention, included over 300 leaves from 39 entrants.
Our 2020 hosta show has been postponed until 2021 due to the pandemic. There's no way to social distance when judging a hosta leaf!
Hosta shows: Our friendly competitions
What is a hosta show?
Every year hosta growers across America search for the best leaves from their best plants, search for their best plants in containers, and/or search their creative minds for the most interesting way to arrange their hosta leaves in an artistic presentation. They then drive (or even fly!) for miles to enter their leaves, plants, and arrangements in hosta show competitions. Leaves are placed into Sections and Classes based on the size and color of the leaf, and judging is based on standards the same way a dog or cat show would be judged. Check out issue 25.2 of our Newsletter for guidance on entering our next show (at the AHS Convention in 2018).
Shows are set up by local hosta societies but accredited by the American Hosta Society, which also trains and accredits the show judges. We have a number of judges in our own membership, but are always seeking more people to get involved.
 The cut leaf competition in 2010The largest part of the show displays hosta leaves arranged by size and color. |  Trough competition, 2010Trough gardens, or Container Gardens Arranged for Effect, show off miniature hostas. Some entries are fanciful fairy gardens, while others display only plants. |  Artistic division entrySome shows (like our show in 2012) include a division showing arrangements with hosta leaves. |
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 Cut-leaf tables, 2014The show is ready to be judged! |  Winners!These are the best leaves of the five size classes of registered hosta cultivars. |  The seedling or sport competitionNew hostas (not yet released to the public) are judged by pairs of leaves. |
 The winning trough, 2014Two tiny hostas and a tiny azalea make a winning combination. |  Dumbstruck? No, Moonstruck.This beautiful pot of Moonstruck took the prize for single container-grown hosta. |  Emerald Ruff Cut, Best in ShowThose who grow this hosta can appreciate how hard it is to get a leaf this good. |
 AHS Convention 2006 Hosta ShowLots of leaves, ready to be judged. We'll be hosting the national convention in 2018, with another big show! |